Our next stop was the busy resort of Interlaken between
the two lakes of Thunersee and Brienzersee.
We hoped to see the mountains and a
classic Swiss lake and Interlaken offers both. Our campsite was well located on
the shores of the Thunersee, but very noisy with the world’s most seemingly
inconsequential road works happening alongside it every day from 6.30am.
Regrettably we were parked right by the hedge so had to contend with the noise
and clouds of billowing dust as well as choking fumes from the heavy plant
machinery. Not the sublime lakeside experience we had imagined!
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| Early morning light across Thunersee |
Despite being pushed at the tourist office to take the
train to see Thun (pronounced Toon) we opted for the bus instead, which with our half fare pass,
made us a saving of 51francs or £36, such is the wild pricing of the
popular transport routes. The bus route we knew hugged the lakeside road on our
side, whilst the train line went overland and through tunnels on the other side offering no views
of the glistening water. It took an hour to reach the town but it was enjoyable
meandering along the shoreline seeing weekenders take to the waters in sail
boats and rowing boats.
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| Surfing on the River Aare |
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| Old wooden bridge |
Thun itself has a lovely setting at the head of the lake
in the foothills of the Bernese Alps. It is spread on both sides of the river
Aare and across an island in the middle which we reached by a covered wooden
bridge and walkway.
There are two of these bridges which as well as providing
access to the island, also act as damns which regulate the flow of the river
through the town. The fast gushing waters were being surfed and rafted on by
local youngsters so we joined the passers-by cheering them on.
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| Old Thun |
The old town curves along the river banks and up to a
pretty Schloss. We meandered around the streets which, like Bern, had arcaded
shops at street level, but you could walk up above them through flower-filled
terraces and past the front doors of people’s homes.
A jazz band was
playing at a restaurant and we loitered on a bridge to listen. It was chilly so
we found a coffee to stroll with and were given a biscuit each by a local
tourist officer thanking us for our visit. It was sweet really!
Jumping off the return bus at Oberhofen we admired the
turreted and story-book castle that spills across the shore. A corporate event
appeared in full swing and the garden gates were open so we chanced our luck
and wandered through the grounds, and the extensive herb garden which yielded a
cheeky crop of rosemary and thyme for Bertha’s larder!
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| Oberhofen Castle on Thunersee |
A network of paths took us along the lake shore to the end of the castle grounds and out into the public gardens. It was noticeably warmer here than at Thun and the crystal clear lake waters dazzled under blue skies. People were strolling and smiling as we headed to the nearest bus stop.
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| A fine view from the bus stop! |
Back at camp we made plans for an adventure in the Alps the next day. It was mindboggling trying to work out the best route, package and price for our budget.
We had a stack of pamphlets and brochures but what made it so confusing was that everyone was selling you the same thing, but differently.
We made a decision and hoped for clear skies in the morning…
